INTERPOL South Africa has arrested two Turkish fugitives in separate operations in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town, with both men wanted in Türkiye over serious gender-based violence-related offences, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The latest arrest took place in Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, 1 October, when INTERPOL South Africa’s Fugitive Investigation Team, supported by Crime Intelligence, Isipingo police and private security, tracked down a 40-year-old Turkish national.
The man is wanted by authorities in Türkiye to face charges including rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
According to information provided by Turkish authorities, the alleged offences date back to 2010. The suspect is accused of kidnapping his then-fiancée, who was 22 at the time, and allegedly raping her over several days.
He is also accused of repeatedly assaulting the woman by striking her head against a wall, allegedly leaving her with permanent physical and psychological impairment.
After the investigation in Türkiye was completed, the suspect allegedly fled the country. He was eventually traced to Isipingo, where South African authorities acted after receiving a formal extradition request.
INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Pretoria obtained and executed a warrant under Section 5(1)(b) of the relevant legislation, leading to the arrest.
The suspect appeared before the Umlazi Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 2 October, where the extradition process brought by the government of Türkiye was formally placed before the court.
The arrest is also notable because it comes just weeks after another Turkish fugitive was arrested in Cape Town in a separate case.
On Monday, 21 September, INTERPOL South Africa arrested a former primary school principal who is wanted in Türkiye over allegations involving sexual assault, kidnapping and intimidation against a nine-year-old victim.
That suspect has since appeared before the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court.
The two cases highlight how wanted suspects can be traced even after crossing international borders, with INTERPOL channels allowing South African law enforcement to work with authorities in other countries to locate and arrest fugitives.
SAPS continues to use these international law enforcement networks to assist in bringing wanted individuals before the courts in the countries where they are required to face legal proceedings.
In both cases, the extradition process will determine the next steps regarding the suspects’ potential transfer to Türkiye.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: SAPS / X
